Newsletter Spring 2017

Gloucestershire Heritage Hub

Friends of Gloucestershire Archives

 

The Friends of Gloucestershire Archives have a unique role among the organisations associated with the Heritage Hub. First, we raise funds to support the Archives, particularly important in these days of local authority austerity.  Secondly, we promote the Archives’ activities so that more people understand and appreciate the importance of the county’s documented heritage.

We are actively encouraged in our work by our Patron, Dame Janet Trotter, the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire who is also Custos Rotulorum, the custodian of the county’s records and documents.

Over the past two years the Friends have raised almost £100,000 towards the cost of the Heritage Hub. We are determined to continue fundraising for document purchase, equipment and any other things which will benefit the Archives.  Some members also give valuable time to transcribe and catalogue documents.

Another activity of which we were immensely proud was the establishment of Gloucester Rugby Heritage, a project to preserve and catalogue Gloucester Rugby Club’s historical documents.  This featured in the Winter 2016 edition of this newsletter and you can find the article at: glos-heritage-hub.tfemagazine.co.uk/heritage-hub-winter-2016/local-history/gloucester-rugby-heritage  Gloucester Rugby Heritage has been so successful that it recently became a charity in its own right. 

In order to promote the Archives, the Friends have agreed to sponsor some of the talks at this year’s Gloucester History Festival. We are also exploring how members can be ‘ambassadors’ in their local communities, watching out for documents which might be lost if not deposited at the Archives.

Like many other Heritage Hub affiliates, local members also have the opportunity to meet together to hear talks and enjoy occasional outings to places of historic interest, especially ones not normally accessible to the general public.

It is an exciting time for the Friends, one full of fresh opportunities. New members are always welcome and we are currently encouraging membership from Archive visitors who come from beyond the County of Gloucestershire but care about its heritage.  The membership fee is small but the chance to make a real difference is considerable. Visit our website at: www.foga.org.uk

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